Music fans mingled with serious bidders in the hope of snapping up a piece of
Elton memorabilia.

Many of the items fetched more than was anticipated with one big-spender
paying £31,200 for an enamel miniature of Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk,
which had been expected to sell for £5,000 to £8,000.

A 16th Century portrait of Elizabeth Honeywood from
the Circle of William Larkin, which was expected to fetch £30,000 to £40,000 but
went for £54,000.

Royal connection

A star attraction was a bedroom suite designed by royal furniture maker David
Linley, which sold for £19,200.

Another buyer picked up three wooden photo frames also crafted by the Queen's
nephew for £540.

Among the more popular lots were some of the star's vast collection of gold discs, including his double platinum award for the Oscar-winning
soundtrack to The Lion King.

Sotheby's specialist Marcus Linell said: "This wasn't a sale of memorabilia
but Elton's taste proved to have extraordinary wide appeal with enthusiastic
buyers from around the world."